Ok, just got back from the OB about two hours ago, we went to breakfast and just kinda laid around. DP went back out to the farm. I just went into the bathroom, and after going checked the paper, just out of habit...

There was blood on the paper... I wiped again thinking maybe it was just a little from the cervical check. But there was a little more. When I got up and looked in the toilet there was a clot on the inside of the bowl. I still have had no contractions, and the baby has been moving fine... and I feel alright. It was just shocking to see and now... What should I do? Call L&D? Or wait and see?

I would call, to put your mind at ease - but it sounds like bloody show. With my #1, I had that and shortly after that I starte feeling crampy, and I had him that day. But Mae has been having show for weeks... so might not mean much.

I did call, they spent a little time on the phone with me, told me to put on a pad and wait until they call me back so that we can get a measure... I guess. Thank you for writing back. I couldn't find my phone and was kind of freaking out!

That's really awful! Do doctors not realize or not care that doing things against a patient's wishes and/or without consent destroys the patients trust in at least them, if not doctors in general? I had a doctor run (non-invasive) tests on my years ago after I explicitly told him not to. I'm still furious with him, and it didn't actually affect me in any way except to piss me off that he didn't listen to my explicit request. I still don't trust doctors much today, and it's making it hard for me to trust my midwife as well, since she's still practicing within the medical environment.

I'm so sorry he did this to you. Good for you for letting them all know exactly how you feel about it and for choosing to forgo vaginal exams in the future.

Wow....that's nuts. It doesn't make 100% sense, either, since I've always thought it would be damn near impossible to do if you weren't dilated? Either way--whether that is what he did OR he's confused you with another patient--I'd be on my guard from here on out. I'm sorry you've had this to deal with today.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 8g, 7g, 4b, 2g

I wouldn't be so quick to get rid of him. Like you said, you've heard great things about this doctor, you've liked him, and his stats back up his stance as a fairly natural-minded guy.

I posted in the other thread, but I think this might be a case of miscommunication. His routine might be to do membrane sweeps on term (or close-to term) women...if he is fairly natural-minded, he knows that they won't work unless your body is ready. He may have been going along with his routine treatment, and not realized it was against your preferences.

Do you think he would have done the sweep if he knew you didn't want it? If so, then yes--consider dropping him. If it was something you never discussed with him, then give him a pass. Every OB and MW makes mistakes. Just like with other relationships, one mistake should not end a relationship. It should prompt a change in communication.

I would also suggest hiring a Doula too. It may be short notice, but you are only 36+ weeks, so I wouldn't see it as that far out of the question. At least you can have someone there to help recognize when things are not going to plan, or heading toward off plan and letting you know and helping you advocate for yourself. I'm so so so so sorry you went through this. I would just mention to make sure, that when a future exam is done (which looks like labor is going the be the next one) you make sure he knows not to do another membrane sweep and not to 'stretch' the cervical opening even if it is stretchy. I hear this commonly happens, and if it's something you don't want, I'd make sure you mention it.

Again, I'm so sorry. I really really am, and I do agree that it IS the CPs OBLIGATION to inform you of ANY procedures, the RISKS, BENEFITS, WHY they suggest it, What to expect, etc. I'm a little irate for you, wow. Kinda blown away.

Wow, I have only had a few cervical checks in my day and all were in active labor, I am not sure what the point is anyway? I would be mad and feel violated too. I would keep the doctor for the reasons already mentioned, but you do not need any internal exams! not even in labor! The ones that I had were per my request at the very end of labor in my moment of frustration. Hugs!

Nurse and mother to two beautiful boys, William 06/07/06, George 08/27/08, and our newest addition John Bear, born 9/20/10! Married to my lovely dh for 10 years on 06/04/10!

I would love to hire a doula! I was planning on looking into it, but doubt this area has one. Can anyone give me a price range?

I second looking for a student who will do it for free or cheap. I actually had someone offer to do it for free for me, because she was still student and working towards certification. But I have my mom with me in a doula capacity already.

One place to look for doulas is through DONA, their training/certification network. Prices vary a LOT around the country, and even in a local area. I've heard of upwards of $2000 in NYC. In this area (southeast Michigan) I interviewed doulas ranging from $300 to $800. Most will also work with you on a sliding scale if money is a real issue.

I was thinking about this last night and wondered if you've had a chance to talk with your doctor about his philosophy on induction. The thing that struck me as most bothersome about your phone conversation is the statement that the doctor views you as "almost done" at not quite 37 weeks. Sure, babies come that early all the time, but if your little guy decides to hold on until 42 weeks you're still 5 weeks away, and I certainly wouldn't call that "almost done". I'm just wondering if he's the type to normally hurry things along as you approach 40 weeks, using that as a deadline, rather than letting things go post dates?

Good questions! I haven't been able to talk to him, yet. I have to wait until our next OB and I will definitely bring that up. We go in on Monday. I spent a lot of time, yesterday afternoon, thinking that I should just skip my weeklies! lol... but that wouldn't give me a chance to have him look over the birth plan or give us a chance to discuss his practices and ethics. So I will definitely go. Better to be told whether or not he is willing to actually work with us, or if we should hurry up and try to find a new provider (if even possible). So far no doula, but a friend of mine knows a midwife who travels the area and is willing to work on a sliding scale. If things get to overwhelming with the ob and medicaid I will get a hold of her and see what her qualifications/certifications are. If we can afford to do it on our own, we may just do a hb.